Ishiba Prepares to Build Relationship with Trump; Japanese PM’s Approach will Differ from That of Abe

Prime Minister’s Office
15:55 JST, January 21, 2025
Under the new U.S. administration of President Donald Trump, the future of Japan-U.S. relations will hinge on whether Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will be able to build a relationship of mutual trust with Trump.
Diplomacy between the leaders is expected to play a key role in keeping the Japan-U.S. alliance solid and protecting Japan’s national interests, while coming to terms with Trump’s “America First” policy.
Ishiba hopes to hold his first summit meeting with Trump as early as early February after making steady preparations.
Switching to ‘Trump mode’
“After Jan. 24, I will switch to ‘Trump mode,” Ishiba reportedly told his aides recently. He indicated his intention to focus on preparations for his expected meeting with Trump after delivering a policy speech at the ordinary Diet session to be convened on Friday, which is Jan. 24.
But many express concern about the prospects for the meeting due to Ishiba’s vulnerable political foundation as the leader of a minority government. “He may not get on well with Trump, who favors strong and decisive leaders,” said a source close to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Ishiba had a telephone talk with Trump on Nov. 7 after his victory in the presidential election. “I felt that he is very friendly,” Ishiba said when asked what he thought of Trump. But their conversation lasted only about five minutes, so whether they will enjoy good chemistry remains unknown.
The Japanese side once proposed holding the summit meeting before Trump’s inauguration. But officials concluded that it would be desirable for Ishiba to meet Trump after he takes office because it will enable the prime minister to take advantage of careful preparations and administrative-level negotiations in advance.
The Japanese government eyed the possibility of holding a meeting ahead of Trump’s inauguration due to the success of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who managed to build a cozy relationship with Trump during his first presidency. Abe met with Trump ahead of other countries’ leaders in November 2016, before he assumed presidency, and managed to immediately establish a rapport.
“Mr. Trump was truly grateful to Mr. Abe, who tried to get close to him while other countries were wary of him,” said a source close to the Japanese government, who is familiar with the situation at that time. “But in a sense, it worked well because Mr. Trump was still a newcomer in politics. I assume the same technique would not have worked this time.”
How to get close to new president
“Mr. Abe had his own way, and I’d like to do it in my own way,” Ishiba said in an interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun in December.
Abe deepened ties with Trump by playing golf together, but Ishiba told those around him that he does not plan to do the same. The strategy he has in mind is to deepen Trump’s trust in him by explaining the two countries’ common interests in their alliance and economic collaborations. “If we carefully consider what are the interests we should jointly achieve, I believe we will definitely find points of agreement,” Ishiba said.
The prime minister apparently expects that Trump, who has an extensive career in the business world, “must be aware of the need for a win-win situation.” But to realize such a situation, it will be necessary for Ishiba to have Trump listen to what he says.
Ishiba met with the LDP’s top advisor, Taro Aso, in December, and SoftBank Group Corp. Chair and Chief Executive Officer Masayoshi Son in January to get their insights on how to get along with Trump.
Both Aso and Son, who had previously met with Trump, advised Ishiba to give concise conclusions instead of long explanations. But Ishiba reportedly told them that this was what he was least good at.
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